The fine is relevant to multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act during 2011 and 2012 for inadequate veterinary care, improper handling of animals, and inadequate primary enclosures.

The violations are relevant to a primate, dog, and pig who all required euthanasia after receiving injuries due to improper handling, and one primate who had lost 75% of all body hair. Two dogs were observed with their heads sticking our through openings in enclosures, and yet another primate’s limb had become caught in an enclosure.

The federal fine follows a series of complaints filed by National Research Watchdog group SAEN for traumatic injuries to animals.

The USDA has the authority to issue fines as high as $10,000 per infraction.

The penalty agreement issued by the USDA lists six separate violations, which could have drawn a $60,000 fine.

“The fine issued by the USDA is about one tenth of the penalty that could have been issued,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. “This paltry punishment clearly demonstrates that the USDA is allowing MPI research to get away with murder.”

It should not be up to groups like SAEN to alert the public and demand that the USDA take action. The USDA should be issuing press releases for every violation and fine so that the public is aware of the cruelty involved in testing on animals.

Speak out and demand an end to all forms of testing and experimenting on animals.

Director of Toxicology Services @ MPI Research, James “Jimmy” Beckman, was arrested last month after filming himself having sexual relations with an elementary school boy. Multiple images of child pornography were found on his work and home computers. Beckman remains incarcerated pending trial.